Factory Engineering Manager - Cartons in Bridgwater

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Factory Engineering Manager to lead and drive engineering excellence within our factory. This pivotal role offers the opportunity to shape and implement engineering strategies that optimize performance, compliance, and efficiency across all engineering operations. As Engineering Manager, you will be responsible for the development of engineering tools, maintenance systems, and compliance strategies, ensuring high standards are consistently met. You will lead a skilled engineering team, minimize downtime, and enhance operational effectiveness while driving business growth through CAPEX contributions. Your leadership will also extend to training and talent development, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and safety.

What’s in it for you?

• Competitive pay
• 12.5% Annual bonus
• 6% Employer pension contribution
• Personal healthcare cover with Bupa
• Life assurance
• 27 days holiday plus bank holidays
• Purchase extra holiday scheme
• Access to employee benefits platform – Cheers which includes flexible benefits such as; additional healthcare cover, healthcare cash plan, dental insurance, car scheme, activities pass, financial services, will writing services etc.

About the role

The role involves assisting in the development of engineering tools and techniques, including creating simple setting, troubleshooting, and preventative maintenance guides to reduce reliance on OEM training and breakdown support. It also includes supporting the ongoing development of engineering compliance strategies and standards, ensuring that internal processes and legal compliance to engineering standards are maintained, delivered, and audited. The position requires leadership in the development, implementation, and review of preventative maintenance systems that ensure high performance and align with site business plans and KPIs. The candidate will also be responsible for ensuring that the service provided by the engineering team is of the highest standard and regularly measured for compliance.

Reducing downtime for utilities and systems such as E80, Island, and Fanuc Palletiser systems is a key focus, as well as ensuring HSE compliance within the factory through audits and coordinating maintenance and asset care plans. The role includes managing training and development plans for engineering talent growth, compliance, and SHE management, while utilizing planned maintenance techniques to maximize operational effectiveness.

You will support business growth through CAPEX contributions and provide leadership for operational engineering functions, including MRO Engineering Stores, utilities, and systems engineering teams. Additionally, the candidate will be responsible for the day-to-day line management of direct reports, including conducting individual reviews and formal annual appraisals, managing and communicating the Factory Engineering Budgets, and deputizing for the Engineering Manager. The job holder may also be required to perform other tasks as reasonably deemed necessary by management.

Key objectives for the Factory Engineering Manager:

• Total accident target reduction
• Grow MME across the Factory
• Compliance adherence
• Reliability – detailed focus on failure to mitigate repeat
• Deliver R+M Budget on time, in full
• Team engagement through “Great place to work”
• Waste and energy reduction =>5%
• Support with the business strategy – skills & training / Organisation / Growth
• Reduce reliance on OEM support through growing internal competencies
• Build a strategy for future training, recruitment & retention of engineering team members
• Improve overall reliability of lines – special focus on APET
• Behavioural safety deployment
• Be a contributor to the Site Engineering Function

About you

A sound understanding of PLCs and high-end automation is necessary to support the engineering function alongside HSE compliance; LOTOTO, confined spaces, etc. You will need to be able to lead a team from the ground up alongside working with a strong leadership team across the UK and group.

About Refresco

Refresco is the global independent beverage solutions provider for Global, National and Emerging brands, and retailers with production in Europe, North America, and Australia. Refresco offers an extensive range of product and packaging combinations from juices to carbonated soft drinks and mineral waters in carton, PET, Aseptic PET, cans, and glass. Refresco continuously searches for new and alternative ways to improve the quality of its products and packaging combinations in line with consumer and customer demand, environmental responsibilities, and market demand.

Refresco is headquartered in Rotterdam, the Netherlands and has more than 13,500 employees. Our drinks on every table. That’s the Refresco vision. We’re a global business and currently produce 12 billion litres of soft drinks from 64 manufacturing plants in 12 countries and we’re only just getting started. We’re the proud owners of six drinks manufacturing sites within the UK. Our UK business provides a great place to work for over 1,800 employees, who produce private label soft drinks and fruit juices for all the leading retailers.

Whether it’s packed in cartons, bottles or cans, we ensure that our products are made to the highest quality standards. Our products get where they need to be when they need to get there to meet the needs of our high-profile customers. Refresco believes that equal opportunity for all is fundamental to our company’s values and all our applicants can expect fairness and transparency in our recruitment process.